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5 Kid-Friendly & Actually Healthy Meal Hacks

If you feel like there's never enough time in the day to properly nourish your little ones (or even the almost-fully-grown ones), this guide is your new best friend. Leave the parental guilt behind and proudly serve these vitamin and nutrient-rich, fat and calorie-poor meals and treats that will delight their finicky taste buds. You might have a little family fun, too!

September 27, 2018

1. Breakfast: Muffin Tin For The Win

Don't let kitchenware names limit how you use your tools. Muffin tins are bluffin' if they think that's all they're good for. From mini omelettes to oatmeal "muffins," you can pretty much bake anything in a tin for a grab-and-go, less-messy version of breakfast foods you typically eat on a larger plate or from a bowl. We love this recipe from Life Made Sweeter for Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups - it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!

And if you're looking for something on the savory side that will fuel them with extra protein, simply whisk 6 eggs and evenly pour the mixture into 6 grooves of a lined or lightly-greased 12-cup muffin tin. Add their favorite veggies and bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes: Omelettes On The Run!

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2. Lunch: Gluten-Free Pizza Croutons That Make Salad Less... Salad-y

Getting kids to eat salad should be a competitive sporting event. It takes training, patience, and grit. Or, you could bake up some pre-made CAULIPOWER pizza (or use leftovers), cut them into little squares, and add them to a salad for a crunchy, flavor and nutrient-packed addition to a basic salad. If you're feeling bold, they might not notice if you've traded iceberg lettuce for kale or spinach to get some leafy green benefits in there.

Pro tip: The classic Margherita flavor compliments Italian dressing perfectly - served on the side in a reusable fruit cup, like we did here.

Rather than opening the dreaded drawer of take-out menus for a rousing game of Delivery Roulette, just keep stocked with our plain cauliflower crusts. They contain more vitamins, fiber, and protein than the other pizzas out there, and save you the added calories, fat, sugar, and sodium, too! Not to mention, these are kid-tested - parents say they don't even realize they're eating cauliflower.

Updating Pizza Night for today's busy parents isn't just about packing in more vegetable-based nutrition, though. How about a little fun? You can put toppings in little ramekins for them to create their own signature pizzas or, if you've got a few extra minutes and a crafty side, toppings arranged as goofy characters is a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Try our spooky spider pizza for a seasonal twist or put your best face forward, like the below idea from a fan, @amanda.moore.ritchie.

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5. Dessert: FroYo Without Spending $50

Trendy, single-offering dessert shops are everywhere, and it's hard to say no to a bucket of artificially-flavored frozen yogurt piled high with gummy bears. We've all been there. With Babble's 2-ingredient FroYo Bite recipe in your back pocket, you'll know exactly what's in there, and you'll save a lot of time and money. Just freeze together yogurt and their favorite fruit. Everyone will get their just desserts.